Abstract: A pipeline laying ship and an improved method of laying a pipeline in a marine environment is disclosed. The pipeline laying ship is a dynamically positioned barge or self-propelled dynamically positioned vessel with a hull having a deck area that supports a pair of reels. The reels are independently rotatable, and are position to generally port and starboard relative to one another. A pipe joint storage area is provided for containing multiple joints of pipe. One or more pipeline welding stations are provided on the deck next to the reels, the pipeline welding stations being positioned to join the joints of pipe together to form an elongated pipeline that can be wound upon a selected reel of said pair of reels. A tower is provided for guiding the elongated pipeline as it is unwound from a selected reel, the tower including at least a bend controller, a straightener and a tensioner.

Abstract: A method of lowering items from a drilling rig to a well located below it through the use of a landing string comprised of drill pipe having an enlarged diameter section with a shoulder, in combination with upper and lower holders having wedge members with shoulders that engage and support the drill pipe at the shoulder of the enlarged diameter section. The shoulder of the drill pipe and the shoulders of the wedge members are rotatable with respect to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing sanitized water in a bottled water dispenser includes a reservoir and one or more dispensing spigots. An ozone generating system generates ozone for sanitizing the water. Ozone is generated and collected within an ozone generator housing. A blower transmits air to the housing, the air carrying the ozone through flowlines to an air diffuser that is positioned inside the reservoir of the water dispenser. The flowlines can be used to sanitize one or more of the reservoir, spigot(s), and/or channel that connects the reservoir and spigot(s). A return flowline or lines can return ozone from the spigot to one or both of the channel and/or reservoir for further use in sanitization.

Abstract: A pipeline laying ship and an improved method of laying a pipeline in a marine environment is disclosed. The pipeline laying ship is a dynamically positioned barge or self-propelled dynamically positioned vessel with a hull having a deck area that supports a pair of reels. The reels are independently rotatable, and are position to generally port and starboard relative to one another. A pipe joint storage area is provided for containing multiple joints of pipe. One or more pipeline welding stations are provided on the deck next to the reels, the pipeline welding stations being positioned to join the joints of pipe together to form an elongated pipeline that can be wound upon a selected reel of said pair of reels. A tower is provided for guiding the elongated pipeline as it is unwound from a selected reel, the tower including at least a bend controller, a straightener and a tensioner.

Abstract: A bottled drink carrier apparatus is provided for supporting a bottle containing a drink product at a position upon a user's neck or shoulder or attached to a belt loop. The apparatus includes a strap assembly forming a loop having upper and lower end portions, a cable having ends that are attached to the lower portion of the strap assembly. The cable forms a closed noose with a slide below the strap. A slide is provided for tightening the noose about a bottle to be supported, the slide frictionally engaging the cable at least in the locking position.

Abstract: An implantable ocular device to decrease intraocular pressure by draining aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye into an extraocular space above the sclera and below the conjunctiva and Tenon's layers. The device includes a conduit attached to an episcleral drainage plate having a porous posterior surface for cellular ingrowth and attachment by the sclera. The distal end of the conduit is inserted into the anterior chamber and protrudes out of the limbal/scleral junction. A portion of the outer surface of the conduit adjacent to the plate has a porous ingrowth surface area to enhance anchoring of the conduit to the surrounding extraocular tissues. The plate has a smooth anterior surface and a porous posterior surface. This device uses porous surfaces to enhance cellular infiltration and ingrowth to increase apposition with surrounding tissues, decrease micromovement of the implant, and thereby decrease the fibrous capsule formation surrounding the episcleral plate.

Abstract: A cantilevered jack-up rig having a support for supporting the free ends of the rig's cantilever beams when said beams are extended over a platform to be serviced by the rig, thereby maximizing the lateral reach of the rig and increasing the load capacity at the maximized reach. The support is positioned between the top of the platform and the bottoms of the extended cantilever beams. The top of the support is provided with a motion block to facilitate lateral and rotational motion of the extended cantilever beams relative to the support.

Abstract: An apparatus and method reducing the motions of a marine structure anchored in a body of water over a hydrocarbon drilling or production site using a spread type mooring system. The structure's motions are reduced by increasing the amplitude and altering the dynamic tension variation of the mooring system, without affecting the static response of the mooring system under static loads.

Abstract: A needle bending device for bending a needle to any desired length without damaging the lumen of the needle and while maintaining sterile conditions, comprise a plastic casing having an open aperture and elongated chamber. The chamber is maintained sterile and the aperture is provided with a curved crown so that the needle can be bent around the crown. Graduated markings on the outer surface of the casing can be used in conjunction with transparent material for the casing, to see the length of needle within the casing and provide a bend of suitable length. Bends having angles of 90.degree., more than 90.degree. or less than 90.degree. can also be provided by bending the needle to any desired extent around the curved crown.

Abstract: A dunnage bag valve and coupling arrangement comprises a valve stem having a spring loaded valve member which is movable to open a passage through the stem. A pair of circumferentially extending, diametrically opposed slots are formed on opposite sides of the stem. An axially extending opening is provided at one end of each slot for receiving a lug. A pair of lugs are formed on the inner cylindrical portion of a coupling so that the coupling can be pressed onto the stem and twisted, the lugs being introduced into the slot openings and then riding along the circumferential portions of the slots. An air hose is threaded to the coupling so that compressed air can be introduced through the valve stem into the dunnage bag. A fixed post inside the coupling opens the valve member when the coupling is engaged to the valve stem. To prevent rotation of the stem, teeth at the base of the stem engage teeth on the ring of a handle that is held while the coupling is pushed and twisted onto the valve stem.

Abstract: A net for carrying personnel and cargo having a [cushioning means] compressible member which is removably attached to and extending downwardly from the base of the net for absorbing the landing shock of the net.

Abstract: A marine structure situated in a seabed having mooring means designed to provide resistance to the environmental forces acting on the structure. Weights are attached to the mooring means at a distance above the seabed so that the weights do not touch the seabed during normal operating conditions. When extreme environmental loads move the structure a certain distance leeward of its original locations, the weights on leeward mooring means contact the seabed, significantly and immediately increasing the restoring force provided by the mooring means.

Abstract: A mudmat and mudmat removal procedure used in combination with an offshore marine structure for supporting said structure on a soft, unconsolidated seafloor during installation of said structure to the seafloor.

Abstract: A pair of pin assemblies located at the stern of a marine vessel for guiding and controlling cables involved in anchor handling procedures, the pins assuming a vertical position when in use and a horizontal position when not in use, the top of the pin assemblies being flush with the vessel's deck when the pins are not in use.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for crimping the ends of tubes (44) preparatory to their removal from a tube support structure (46). Accordingly, the apparatus (10) is provided with a plurality of radially spaced serrated members (24A, 24B, 24C and 24D) pivotally mounted within a housing (12). The members (24A, 24B, 24C and 24D) are equipped with rollers (32A, 32B, 32C and 32D) in registry with a retractable cone (34) disposed within the housing (12). An elastic O-ring (38) circumscribes each member (24A, 24B, 24C and 24D).

Abstract: An apparatus and method to permit the burning of high and varying moisture content fuels without requiring supplemental fuel (oil or gas) firing. The invention provides in-situ drying of the high and varying moisture content fuels by modulating the temperature of the combustion air entering the furnace (11) of the vapor generator (10). The variable flow paths taken by the air and flue gas are functions of the moisture content of the fuel being fired. The flue gas may be selectively by-passed around an economizer (20) for direct introduction into a first air heater (30). The gas is then passed through a precipitator (34) and a second air heater (40). Combustion air is passed through the second air heater (40) and may be then apportioned between the first air heater (30) and a by-pass (60) around the air heater (40) before introduction into the furnace (11).

Abstract: A filter house (12) employing a selective catalytic reduction process for removing NO.sub.x emissions from a flue gas stream while simultaneously filtering out and collecting entrained particulate matter from the stream. Accordingly, the filter house (12) includes flue gas inlet and outlet passages (18, 30) and a plurality of porous filter bags. The bags are treated with a suitable catalyst to facilitate the selective catalytic reduction process.

Abstract: An instrumentation installation tool (30) for weldably attaching strain gages (20) or other instrumentation to the interior of a steam generator tube (42). The exterior surface of the section (32) is formed with four longitudinal grooves (32A, 36B, 36C and 38). A welding slot (44) is situated in one of the grooves (38). A ramp (46), oriented within the section (32) is in close proximity to the slot (44). Additionally, an elongated multitipped electrode (80) is slidably and coaxially disposed within the section (32).

Abstract: An underfeed fuel feeder for introducing granular material into a fluidized bed. One embodiment introduces material into the bed through a perforated cavity-shaped feed nozzle disposed beneath an air distribution plate. A second embodiment introduces material through a T-shaped nozzle disposed above the plate. A housing protects the nozzle. A third embodiment depicts the nozzle-housing combination in a fluidized bed boiler employing water cooled floors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing very finely divided alkali fumes and other particulate material from a coal-gasifier make-gas comprising the introduction of char granules into the constricted passage of a venturi-shaped gas duct to adsorb the very fine particulate from the make-gas flowing therethrough, and centrifugally separating the fume-laden char granules from the make-gas.